This is really the Honeymoon Phase. Showing it off, taking snaps, getting compliments and accepting praise for a job well done.

I hesitate briefly, Rest and bask in viewing her. Praising God and thanking him for the gifts he has given me and the opportunity to share them. My small imitation of him. Out of dust he made us, out of wood I made her. I enjoy. And then we move on to the next.

There are small things yet that I must correct, adjust, improve. Nothing apparent to the untrained eye but visible to my Artist Mentors who will judge my work and direct me in my progress.
The young Lady in this image is "Haley", she works at Don the Beachcomber and was nice enough to pose and smile.

This piece of Arizona Cypress came from the Vedante Monastary up in Trabuco. I used to make a very nice incense out of the resins of this tree and gathered them up at the monastary where a friend of mine was a monk. Very fragrant wood, solid, long lasting and beautiful. Used for making musical instruments, paneling and in the distant past coffins. It resists rot, chemicals, insects and fungus's real well. Carves good too!

The knots on this piece were placed in such a way that I could not resist building a bird around them and using them for eyes. I'll post again after some more finish has been applied.